Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Memovox Perpetual Calendar Owner Review : Dressy, addictive and functional

I had been looking for a perpetual calendar for a long time, looking in particular at the latest JLC Polaris in its beautiful blue livery, but decidedly much too expensive for me. Also not decided to take the plunge with the Portuguese IWC (whose movements are manufactured by JLC if I am not mistaken and which are also too expensive for my budget). Until I came across this model dating from 2002 or 2003, in impeccable condition, full set, on a second-hand site. Not only the perpetual calendar, but the memovoc! And what a memovoc, not a Vulcan-style crackle, but a real, pretty gong, loud enough to wake a sleeper, not too aggressive or metallic, very pleasant. And a very well-designed perpetual calendar, fully synchronized, adjustable by a single external pusher at 8 o'clock. No risk, unlike IWC, of having to send your watch to a watchmaker if the real date is exceeded. Thickness of 15 mm, which is very reasonable when you consider that the gong must be housed under the movement. Diameter of 41.5 mm. Very nice proportions between the bezel and the dial, very readable for my old eyes. Two crowns: the one at two o'clock dedicated to the memovox (winding, setting and on-off) and the one at 4 o'clock for winding and setting the time. Incredible how much pleasure I have in wearing this watch, with its two complications that are really useful several times a day (pacing your professional meetings with this chime is a joy!). It is of course a dress watch, but no problem wearing it on a daily basis. This is a module marketed 20 years ago, and which is in my eyes much more attractive than most recent releases, whether in terms of quality, design, and price. A watch that doesn't often go into the safe, as I often want to wear it, look at it (and show it off...)